Is Maternity Benefit Extended Beyond Statutory Requirement?

Hi,
We are in the process of updating our Employee Handbook. We are a UK based Company and follow most of the policies & practices of the UK. The present debate we were having is on Maternity Benefit.
In the UK they have a maternity benefit for 52 weeks (!!). 25 of these weeks are full paid leaves and others have partial payment.
As per Indian standards, we need to pay only 12 weeks Maternity Benefit to the female employees.
Do most of the Company's have just 12 weeks Maternity Benefit or they extend this beyond 12 weeks and provide longer leaves to the employees?
Please help me with your experiences.
I would also like to understand, what is the practice in BPO Industry as well.
Thanking you.
Best Regards,
Sonia

Sonia,
Yes the maternity benefit can be extended beyong 12 weeks, 12 weeks is minimum by law, the company can decide upon the timelines, my company has 19 weeks of paid ML
Let me know if you need more info on this.
regards
Parthiv

hi,
Does anyone else have a longer maternity leave period in thier Company in addition to the statutory requirement?
Please state the type of industry you belong to as well.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Best Regards,
Sonia